On Thursday, April 19, 2012, at 6:00 P.M. Foley Elementary School’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program is hosting a Lights On After School event to bring awareness to our community. More than 15 million children are unsupervised each weekday after the school day ends, according to research from the Afterschool Alliance, sponsored by JCPenney. Afterschool programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families.

The Lights On Afterschool rally will feature a number of student performers from different schools in Baldwin County as well as local business leaders, educators and other officials. Hundreds of parents, educators, and community members are expected to attend.

Organized by the Afterschool Alliance, Lights On Afterschool 2012 is expected to include some 1 million Americans at 7,500 events throughout the nation and at U.S. military bases around the world. The events give youth a chance to showcase the skills they learn and talents they develop at their afterschool programs, and to send the message that we must not deny or divert funds needed for afterschool programs. (A growing list of rallies is available at www.AfterschoolAlliance.org.)

During Lights On Afterschool this year, the Afterschool Alliance, in conjunction with JCpenney, will release 50 state progress reports that examine how each state is helping keep the lights on for kids and families after school. The progress reports review state policies, funding and other activities that affect afterschool programs, examine the need in each state for these programs, offer tips to parents seeking afterschool programs for their children and suggest ways that all state residents can support afterschool.

The Foley Elementary School’s 21st Century Community Learning Center opened in 2010 with a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant. It now serves 180 children, providing homework assistance, mentoring, tutoring, and classes in theatre, music, and art. Cherry Penn, Baldwin County’s After School Childcare Program Supervisor is one of just 20 afterschool leaders named this year to serve as an Afterschool Ambassador, chosen by the Afterschool Alliance – a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children and youth have access to quality afterschool programs.

Lacy Delaino, Site Manager for Foley explains, “We hope the community joins us in supporting these terrific programs in Baldwin County. The teachers, Site Managers, and especially the children work very hard. We want all of Baldwin County to be aware of what their community has to offer for the students. I think we have some amazing kids who need to be showcased. It’s going to be a wonderful evening!”

For more information contact Lacy Delaino at Ldelaino@bcbe.org or call (251) 709-0709